SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless has activated three new cell sites in Lake County that expand network coverage, enabling more customers in the area to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

The new cell sites, which are equipped with permanent backup generators for times of emergency, expand Verizon Wireless' voice and data network in Lake County in the following locations.

• Antioch: from the Illinois/Wisconsin border in the north to Kelly Road in the south, and from Savage Road in the west to Hunt Club Road in the east;
• Ingleside: from State Highway 134 in the north to Bonner Road in the south, and from Chapel Hill Road in the west to Wilson Road in the east;
• Lincolnshire: from Westmoreland Drive in the north to Deerfield Parkway in the south, and from State Highway 83 in the west to Milwaukee Avenue in the east.
  

"Together, these network expansions reflect our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless," said T.J. Fox, president-Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless.

"The value we offer our customers is closely tied to our industry-leading customer retention," Fox said. "Wireless consumers today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer the nation's most reliable network."

The new cell sites in Lake County are part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Illinois and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed--$5.5 billion on average every year--to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested $1.2 billion on improvements to its network in Illinois.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (VZ) and Vodafone (Nasdaq and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless